Country singer/songwriter Lucky Tomblin retired from performing after founding the Fire Station recording studio in San Marcos, TX, but, at the urging of his friend Doug Sahm, decided to return to the spotlight in the early 2000s and formed first Lucky 13 and then, in 2003, the Lucky Tomblin Band to play Western swing and honky tonk country music. The group is a team of veterans. Pianist Earl Poole Ball spent 20 years backing Johnny Cash. Guitarist Redd Volkaert was a member of Merle Haggard's road band, the Strangers, and released his own solo albums. (He and Ball have their own side project, HeyBale.) Bassist Sarah Brown is an in-demand session and backup musician whose clients have included Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, James Cotton, Billy Bragg, Bonnie Raitt, and Dave Alvin. Drummer Jon Hahn is also a busy musician who has worked with the Flatlanders, Rosie Flores, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and others. Guitarist Bobby Arnold is better known as a recording engineer at the Fire Station and has worked for Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, and Neil Young. This sextet made The Lucky Tomblin Band, the group's debut album, released in 2003. Then, Tomblin added a seventh member, guitarist John Reed, best known for his association with the Flatlanders and their individual members, Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Butch Hancock. The Lucky Tomblin Band followed with In a Honky-Tonk Mood (2006), Red Hot from Blue Rock (2007), and Honky Tonk Merry Go Round (2010). ~ William Ruhlmann